Expandable Storage System

ABSTRACT

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards expandable storage units. Such units may be in a form of shelving units or closets. A closet in accordance with the disclosed subject matter comprises two side walls with at least two fixed shelves extending there between and an extension assembly associated with a respective side wall and comprising a support wall fixed with at least one retractable shelf and slidingly supported by a shelf opening configured at the respective side wall. The arrangement is such that the support is displaceable about a substantially vertical plain with respect to the respective side wall, between a retracted position extending near the respective side wall, and an extracted position wherein the support wall is displaced away from the respective side wall.

FIELD OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to storage systems and more particularly to closets wherein the effective storage space may be changed per demand.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

Modular storage systems and modular shelving are well known in the art and are typically design for reconfiguring at different shapes or to change the effective shelving space.

Examples of adjustable storage shelving are described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,183, U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,312, U.S. Pat. No. 6,345795.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,183 is directed to an adjustable storage rack with vertically adjustable arms that are horizontally extensible and retractable to facilitate placement of material on or removal of material from the rack, especially where an overhead crane is used for this purpose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,312 is directed to a two piece, lengthwise telescopically adjustable, shelf adapted to be mounted between vertical structural members or studs in a building. The lengthwise adjustability permits use of the shelf arrangement in spite of wide variations in the center-to-center spacing between the structural members.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,795 is directed to a shelf bracket for supporting and adjustably attaching shelving to vertically support structure comprises an elongate member having opposite end portions, and an open U-shaped shelf supporting channel along a lower edge thereof One of the end portions of the elongate member includes structure arranged to adjustably attach the bracket to vertical support structure. An inverted U-shaped shelf retaining channel extends along an upper edge of the elongate member. The open U-shaped shelf supporting channel functions to receive and support shelving when inserted therein, and the inverted U-shaped shelf retaining channel functions to snap fit over and thereby retain such shelving.

Hereinafter in the specification and claims the term closet is used in its broad sense to define a closet, a cupboard, a wardrobe, etc., used for any domestic or non-domestic purpose, for the storage of any sort of goods, e.g. linens, household supplies, clothing, books, foodstuff, crockery, utensils, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER

According to the presently disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a shelving system comprising a first extension assembly and second extension assembly. Each of the first and second extension assemblies comprises a support wall integrally fitted with at least one shelf. The at least one shelf of the first extension assembly and at least one shelf of the second extension assembly coextend and are configured for sliding displacement with respect to one another, such that the displacement of one of the support walls entails retraction/extraction of the shelves with respect to each other.

According to the present disclosed subject matter there is further disclosed a closet comprising two side walls; an extension assembly associated with at least one of the respective side walls and comprising a support wall fixed with at least one retractable shelf and slidingly supported by a shelf opening configured at the respective side wall; said support wall being displaceable about a substantially vertical plain with respect to the respective side wall, between a retracted position extending near the respective side wall, and an extracted position wherein the support wall is displaced away from the respective side wall.

Any one or more of the following features and designs may be characterized in the shelving unit and or closet subject of the present disclosure:

-   -   At the extracted position the retractable shelf at least         partially extends between the respective side wall and the         support wall, depending on the extent to which the support wall         has been displaced from the respective side wall, to a maximum         corresponding with the length of the retractable shelf;     -   The side walls extend parallel to one another, and according to         one particular example are vertically extending;     -   The closet comprises one wall and the closet is further mounted         on a fixed wall;     -   One of the extension assemblies comprised in the system is         stationary;     -   One of the extension assemblies comprised in the system is         stationary and forms part of a wall structure of the room, shed,         a closet etc. fitted with at least one shelve;     -   The at least two fixed shelves are substantially horizontal;     -   The at least one retractable shelf is parallel to the fixed         shelves;     -   The at least one support wall is substantially parallel to the         respective side wall;     -   At the retracted position the at least one retractable shelf         blends with a corresponding one of the at least two fixed         shelves;     -   At the extracted position at least one retractable shelf         coextends with a corresponding one of the at least two fixed         shelves;     -   At the retracted position the at least one support wall extends         adjacent or at least partially embedded into the respective side         wall. According to a particular configuration, the at least one         support wall is fully received and extends flush with an outside         surface of the respective side wall;     -   A stopper assembly is provided to prevent unintentional         detachment of the extension assembly from the closet;     -   The closet may be fitted with one or two extension assemblies,         each associated with a respective side wall thereof;     -   The closet may be fitted with one or more doors for concealing         one or more compartments of the closet or the extension assembly         at its extracted position;     -   The closet comprises at least two fixed shelves extending         between the side walls;     -   There may be an uneven number of number of fixed shelves and         retractable shelves and further, the shelves may be slidingly         displaceable over or within one another;     -   The retractable shelves are wider than the fixed shelves, the         latter being slidably received within the former, retractable         shelves;     -   Top and bottom walls of the closet may constitute fixed shelves;     -   At least one of the side walls is inclined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the presently disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a closet in accordance with the disclosed subject matter configured with two extension assemblies, both at their extracted position;

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 with one of the cupboard's door partially open;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the cupboard of FIG. 1, along a vertical plane as marked in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the closet of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a fully retracted position;

FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 4 with one of the doors of the closet partially open;

FIG. 6 is a sectioned view taken along the plane defined VI-VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a closet in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly partially extracted from the closet;

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a closet in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly partially retracted from the closet;

FIG. 10 is a representation of a closet in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the extension assembly at its fully extracted position and further, the closet comprising a door swingable between several positions;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a shelving unit in accordance with the disclosed subject matter configured with five extendable shelves at their retracted position;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a shelving unit of FIG. 11, with shelves at an expanded position; and

FIG. 13A and 13B are an enlarged section view of the portion marked marked T in FIG. 12, in a fully expanded position and a partially expanded position, respectively, in accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The closet 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 comprises a closed cabinet compartment generally designated 22 and two extension assemblies designated 24A and 24B, respectively.

Cabinet compartment 22 is a solid cabinet comprising a first sidewall 30, a parallel second sidewall 32, a top wall 36 and a bottom wall 38 interconnecting between the sidewalls and a back wall 40 (FIGS. 5 and 7). A front of the cabinet compartment 22 is fitted with a pair of swinging doors 44A and 44B hingedly secured to the cabinet and displaceable between a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 4) and an open position (right side door 44B illustrated in a partially open position in FIGS. 2 and 5).

Provided within the cabinet compartment 22 there are four shelves 50A-50D secured to the inner faces of the sidewalls 30 and 32, respectively (e.g. as seen in FIG. 2).

The extension assemblies 24A and 24B each comprise a support wall 60 which in the present example is in the form of an inverted U-like frame integrated with four shelves designated 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D parallelly extending and being substantially horizontal. As can be seen in the drawings, the legs 66 of the frame of support wall 60 extend down to the floor surface, thus supporting the extension assembly with further support provided thereto by the retracable shelves 64A-64D fixedly secured thereto and having their opposite ends (i.e. free ends) slidingly received and supported within respective shelve openings formed in the respective sidewall 30 and 32, said shelve openings designated 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, respectively and are to configured for slidingly though firmly supporting the respective retractable shelves 64A-64D. It is further noticed that the sidewalls 30 and 32 (only sidewall 30 is fully apparent in the figures) are configured with a groove 76 configured for fully accommodating the sidewall, namely frame 60 of the respective extension assembly 24 at its fully retracted position, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the fixed shelves 50A-50D within the closed cabinet compartment 22 stand substantially the entire width D of the cabinet compartment 22 whilst the retractkable shelves 64A to 64D are narrower than the fixed shelves and are slidably received within the fixed shelves 50A-50D as their section is of smaller dimensions than the sections of the fixed shelves and is adapted for sliding accommodation therewithin. It is appreciated that in accordance with a particular design, any of the shelves 50 and 64 may have a closed rectangle shape or a U-like cross-section or an L-like cross-section.

In accordance with yet a modification of the disclosed subject matter (not shown), the retractable shelves may be wider than the fixed shelves, the latter being slidably received within the former, retractable shelves. As such, the section of the fixed shelves is of smaller dimensions than the section of the retractable shelves and is adapted for sliding accommodation therewithin.

The length of the retrackable shelves 64A-64D is approximately half the width of the fixed shelves 50A-50D such that at the fully retracted position, whilst both the extension assemblies 24A and 24B are at their retracted position, the respective retrackable shelves extend approximately through half width of the fixed shelves 50A-50D, as illustrated in FIG. 6, however such that the opposite facing retrackable shelves do not interfere with the complete retraction of the respective extension assemblies 24A and 24B.

It is further noticed for example in FIG. 5 that at the fully retracted position, the support wall, namely frame 60 is completely received within the respective sidewall 30 such that the outer surface 78 of the frame 60 is substantially flush with the outer surface 31 of the respective sidewall 30.

The arrangement is such that the closet 20 is configurable between a fully retracted position (FIGS. 4, 5, and 6) and a fully extracted, expanded position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, wherein both the extension assemblies 24A and 24B are fully displaced in direction of arrow 80 giving rise to additional storage space over the retractable shelves 64A-64D, at both sides of the closet 20. It is appreciated that at any stage either one or both of the extension assemblies 24A and 24B may be radially displaced back into the retracted position regardless of the position of the other one of the extension assembly.

It is also appreciated that the term closet in accordance with the present disclosed subject matter may be a fixed cabinet fitted with only one apparent sidewall, e.g. another sidewall being a fixed wall of a room, and not being provided with an extension assembly as discussed hereinabove.

Furthermore, the number of retractable shelves does not necessary have to correspond with the number of shelves within the cabinet compartment, however at least two retractable shelves constitute an advantage in support and stabilization of the extension assembly and further provide for smooth and even (parallel) retraction of the extension assembly.

Turning now to FIG. 8 of the drawings there is illustrated a closet 100 in accordance with a different example of the present disclosed subject matter wherein, for sake of clarity, only a right extension assembly is illustrated.

In the example of FIG. 8, the closet 100 is configured within open cabinet compartment 104, namely devoid of any doors, and having a substantially rectangle cross-section with two fixed shelves 108A and 108B the depth D of which being slightly narrower than the depth d of the cabinet compartment 104. The cabinet compartment 104 further comprises a bottom base 110, a top base 112 and a backing 114.

Unlike the previous example, in the present example the extension assembly generally designated 120 comprises a support wall 124 in the form of a flat support wall from which a pair of fixed retractable shelves extend 126A and 126B corresponding with shelves 108A and 108B of the cabinet compartment 104 and having a substantially inverted U-like cross-section slidingly received within a corresponding shelf opening 130 (seen best on the right sidewall 115 of the cabinet compartment 104).

The arrangement is such that the extension assembly 120 is slidably displaceable along arrowed line 140 between a fully retracted position (not shown) and a fully extracted, deployed position, not shown either and however being suitable for arresting at any mid position as illustrated in FIG. 8. For the purpose of fixing the extension assembly 120 at a mid position, there are provided stoppers in the form of several apertures 146 formed on the fixed shelves 108A and 108B, with a respective plug 150 fitted at the free end of at least one of the retractable shelves 126A and 126B, wherein said plug may be placed within a respective opening 146 for arresting sliding displacement of the retractable shelves over the fixed shelves, thus fixating the position of the extension assembly 120.

Further noticed, the free ends of the retractable shelves 126A and 126B are fitted with a stopper member 154 to prevent unintentional detachment of the extension assembly 120 from the cabinet compartment 104.

For sake of easy sliding displacement of the extension assembly 120, suitable friction reducing shoes/pads may be provided or rollers 160A, at a bottom surface 160 of the support wall 124.

Unlike the previous example, in the example of FIG. 8, at the fully retracted position, the support wall 124 does not slide into a recess formed on an outer surface of the respective sidewall 150 but rather extends substantially parallel and flush thereagainst.

In FIG. 9, there is illustrated another closet in accordance with the present disclosed subject matter generally designated 200 being substantially similar to the previous example, however with the difference that the cabinet compartment 204 has a first sidewall 208 being substantially vertical with a second sidewall 210 extending inclined, with a bottom base 212, a top 214, a back 216, and a pair of fixed shelves 220A and 220B.

In accordance with the example of FIG. 9, the closet 200 comprises on its left side an extension assembly 230 wherein the support wall 234 is in the form of a board of material extending inclined and substantially parallel to the respective sidewall 210, with a pair of fixed retractable shelves 236A and 236B extending substantially parallel to shelves 220A and 220B respectively and being slidable with respect thereto through respective shelf openings 240A and 240B as discussed hereinabove.

Whilst not illustrated, the closet 200 of FIG. 9 may further comprise a right side extension assembly in which case the support wall would extend substantially parallel to the respective right side sidewall 208, namely at a substantially vertical position.

Turning now to the example illustrated in FIG. 10 there is illustrated a closet in accordance with a different example of the disclosed subject matter, said closet generally designated 300 and comprises only a left-side extension assembly 304 slidingly displaceable with respect to the cabinet compartment 306 based on the principles disclosed herein. As noted, the respective sidewall 310 is fitted with a door 316 pivotally secured thereto at hinges 320 whereby the door 316 is swingably displaceable along arrowed lines 326 between a position at which is closes a portion of the cabinet compartment 306 (this position being designated by a dashed-dotted line designated 344) and a position at which it is closed against the extension assembly at its fully extraction position (illustrated by a dashed-line designated 346).

The presently disclosed subject matter is further directed to a shelving system as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and designated 400 in a retracted and expanded positions, respectively. The system comprises a first extension assembly 421A and a second extension assembly 421 B. Each of the first and second extension assemblies comprises a vertical support wall 432 and 430, respectively, integrally fitted with five shelves 464A-464E at the inner faces thereof. Each of the shelves having an engaged end 450A-20 E articulated to the respective wall 430, 432 and a free end 455A-E. As seen in the figures, each of the five shelves of the first and second assemblies 421A and 421B are associated through a shelving member 480A-E receivable within the shelve portions and interconnecting the assemblies. It will be appreciated that the arrangement can alternatively be such that the shelving member is configured for receiving the shelves 464A-E (not shown).

As can be seen in the drawings, each of the shelves 464A-464E have their free ends slidingly receiving and supporting through respective shelve openings 477 (seen in FIG. 13A) a portion of the respective the shelve member. The shelve openings 477 in accordance with this example are configured for slidingly though firmly supporting the respective shelves 450A-450E. As can best be seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the fixed shelves 450A-450E are narrower than the retractable shelves and are slidably received within the retractable shelves 464A-464E as their section is of smaller dimensions than the sections of the fixed shelves and is adapted for sliding accommodation therewithin.

The sum of the lengths of any of the two corresponding and coextending shelves is approximately the length of the respective shelve member such that at the fully retracted position, the respective retractable shelves extend approximately over the length of the shelve members, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Any of the shelves 464 and 480 may have a closed rectangle shape, a U-like cross-section, an L-like cross-section and the like.

The arrangement is such that the first extension assembly and at least one shelf of the second extension assembly coextend and are slidably displaceable along arrowed line 440 between a fully retracted position (FIG. 11) and a fully extracted, deployed position, shown in FIG. 12 and however being suitable for arresting at any mid position as illustrated in FIG. 13B. It will be appreciated that only one of the assemblies can be displaced entailing retraction/extraction of the shelves on that side.

As seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the free ends of the shelves are fitted with a stopper shoulders 454 configured to prevent unintentional detachment of the shelve members. The ends of the shelve members (one end 482 seen in FIGS. 13A and 13B) have an outwardly protruding projection 484 configured to arrest displacement of the shelve member with respect to the shelve 464 and its respective stopper 454.

While there have been shown several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the presently disclosed subject matter, Mutatis Mutandis. 

1. A closet comprising: a. two side walls with at least two fixed shelves extending there between; b. an extension assembly associated with a respective side wall and comprising a support wall fixed with at least one retractable shelf and slidingly supported by a shelf opening configured at the respective side wall; said support wall being displaceable about a substantially vertical plain with respect to the respective side wall, between a retracted position extending near the respective side wall, and an extracted position wherein the support wall is displaced away from the respective side wall.
 2. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the extracted position the retractable shelf at least partially extends between the respective side wall and the support wall.
 3. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side walls extend parallel to one another.
 4. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least two fixed shelves are substantially horizontal.
 5. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one retractable shelf is parallel to the fixed shelves.
 6. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one support wall is substantially parallel to the respective side wall.
 7. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted position the at least one retractable shelf is received within a corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves.
 8. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the extracted position at least one retractable shelf coextends with a corresponding one of the at least two fixed shelves.
 9. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted position the at least one support wall extends adjacent the respective side wall.
 10. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at the retracted position the at least one support wall is at least partially embedded into the respective side wall.
 11. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one support wall is fully received and extends flush with an outside surface of the respective side wall.
 12. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein a stopper assembly is provided to prevent unintentional detachment of the extension assembly from the closet.
 13. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet is fitted with at least one extension assemblies, wherein the at least one extension assemblies is associated with a respective side wall thereof
 14. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet may be fitted with one or more doors for concealing one or more compartments of the closet or the extension assembly at its extracted position.
 15. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closet comprises at least two fixed shelves extending between the side walls.
 16. A closet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the retractable shelves and the fixed shelves are slidingly displaceable over or within one another.
 17. A shelving system comprising a first extension assembly and second extension assembly, each of the first and second extension assemblies comprises a support wall integrally fitted with at least one shelf, the at least one shelf of the first extension assembly and at least one shelf of the second extension assembly coextend and are configured for sliding displacement with respect to one another, wherein displacement of one of the support walls entails retraction/extraction of the shelves. 